@op looking back, what was the specific cringe aspect of what you described in your story?
that you’d hope for this seemingly impossible outcome, of being a positive force in an established group with a clear bigoted direction?
or that you feel foolish for relapsing into believing religious topics again?
or something else?
my guess is its just another flavour of cope.
imo likely because recent history has began to undermine the delusions which were propping up the former flavour.